Political speak -
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy. There are many events planned in communities across the country to celebrate this important milestone. You can find a detailed list of upcoming events at this website: www.navy.forces.gc.ca/centennial/.
Conservative Government Shelves Energy Retrofit Program
On March 31, the Conservative government suddenly cancelled the federal ecoEnergy Retrofit program. This program was very popular and provided a series of rebates to homeowners who made energy efficiency improvements to their home. Due to the cancellation of the program, you can no longer book a pre-retrofit home energy evaluation as of March 31, 2010. If you have already booked an appointment for a pre-retrofit evaluation or completed an evaluation, you remain eligible to apply for a rebate under this program until next March 31, 2011. Please note that there are still provincial rebates available for home energy efficiency improvements. For more information on the provincial rebates, please contact Conserve Nova Scotia at www.conserve.ns.ca or (902) 424-0790.
It is very short-sighted of the Conservative government to cancel this program. In fact, the Conservatives announced in their March budget that they were planning to invest another $80 million into the program because it was so successful. But a few weeks later, they pulled the plug.
Since the program was launched in 2007, more than 85,000 home retrofits were completed across Canada. Spin-off benefits included a reduction in carbon emissions and energy consumption, job creation, and cost savings for home-owners.
New Democrats will push for answers to this sudden and unexpected cancellation of this very successful program.
More Government Help Needed as Veterans Turn to Food Banks
On the Easter Holiday weekend, a local newspaper published a photo of the Prime Minister Harper packing a food hamper for clients of the Calgary Poppy Fund Veterans Food Bank. I was disheartened to see this photo, knowing that the veterans' food bank in Calgary is located in the Prime Minister's home city.
In my opinion, provincial and federal governments need to do much more to address the needs of Canadians who rely on food banks. Similarly, if even a few veterans and their families are turning to food banks, the federal government and the Department of Veterans Affairs is failing in its responsibility to assist those who served our country. While the Calgary Poppy Fund Veterans Food Bank is doing great work, I cannot help but think that the men and women who served our country should not have to turn to food banks. The care of veterans and their families is the responsibility of the federal government and I have urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately address this issue.
Summer Jobs for Youth
As the school year is winding down, students are beginning to think about summer employment or their plans for next year. A good resource for students is the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Information web site at www.youth.gc.ca. This site provides information on career planning, finding work, exchange programs, youth initiatives, and summer career and job placements. This information is also available by calling 1-800-622-6232.
Recent high school graduates and university students should also look at the provincial Student Employment Program in Nova Scotia at the following website: www.gov.ns.ca/econ/sep/.
As always, please contact my office for information or assistance at (902) 861-2311 or 1-888-701-5557.
